Spirit end Thorns' season 4-1; Timbers playoff dates set (Nov. 9)
Quick Read
The Washington Spirit beat the Portland Thorns 4-1 in Sunday's NWSL quarterfinal at Audi Field, ending Portland's 2026 season.
Trinity Rodman scored twice and Washington led 3-0 by halftime; Pietra Tordin scored Portland's only goal in the 51st minute.
Sophia Wilson becomes an unrestricted free agent now that her contract has expired, The Oregonian reported.
The Timbers open their MLS playoff series at FC Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 21, and host Game 2 at Providence Park on Nov. 28; public tickets go on sale today at 2 p.m.
By the Willamette News Sports Desk. Edited by Channing Webb.
The Portland Thorns' season is over. The Washington Spirit scored three times in the first 35 minutes and beat the Thorns 4-1 in Sunday's NWSL quarterfinal in Washington, D.C., sending the No. 3 seed Spirit to the semifinals and the No. 6 seed Thorns home, according to ESPN.
How it got away
Washington struck in the sixth minute. Trinity Rodman stripped Thorns defender Carolyn Calzada deep in Portland's end and slipped a pass to Melissa Bethi, who beat goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, ESPN reported.
The game turned in a two-minute span late in the half. In the 34th minute, Arnold hesitated on a back pass from Isabella Obaze, and Clara Luvanga closed her down and scored. A minute later Luvanga raced into the box and set up Rodman to make it 3-0 at the break.
Portland showed some life after halftime. Jessie Fleming recycled a corner kick back into the box and Pietra Tordin poked it in for her first career playoff goal in the 51st minute, the Thorns said. Seven minutes later, Luvanga and Rodman connected again to restore the three-goal lead. Thorns defender Jayden Perry was sent off with a second yellow card in the 88th minute.
The Thorns put 7 of their 11 shots on target but had 41 percent of the ball. The announced crowd at Audi Field was 19,215, per the club's match report.
What the Thorns said
"Honestly, a little embarrassed," veteran forward Morgan Weaver said after the match, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive. "Today, it just sucks."
Coach Rob Vilahamn described the club as a top-eight team in the league but not a top-four team, The Oregonian reported, adding, "And that's the honest truth." It was the second straight year the Spirit eliminated Portland at Audi Field.
A big offseason starts now
The biggest question is Sophia Wilson. The forward, who led Portland in scoring in her return season, will be an unrestricted free agent now that her contract has expired, and The Oregonian said keeping her in Portland will be the club's focus, along with shoring up the back line. Wilson put three shots on goal Sunday but could not score.
Washington moves on to face the No. 7 seed Utah Royals in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 14. No. 1 Gotham FC meets No. 4 Kansas City in the other semifinal, USA Today reported.
Timbers playoff dates are set
Portland soccer still has a team alive. The No. 7 seed Timbers open their best-of-three Round One series at No. 2 FC Dallas on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 1 p.m. Pacific at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, the Timbers announced. Game 2 is at Providence Park on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific. If a Game 3 is needed, Dallas hosts it Wednesday, Dec. 2.
All playoff matches stream on Apple TV, and Game 2 will also air on FS1 and FOX Deportes, according to FC Dallas. Each match must produce a winner, with penalty kicks if it is tied after regulation.
Tickets for Game 2 went on presale at noon Monday for Timbers annual members and mini-plan buyers, with the public sale opening at 2 p.m. Pacific. The Timbers also confirmed they have qualified for Leagues Cup 2027, which runs Aug. 3 through Sept. 5, 2027.
Sources
Portland Thorns: Season ends with 4-1 road loss to Washington Spirit (Nov. 8, 2026)
ESPN: Washington 4-1 Portland match report
The Oregonian/OregonLive: Thorns eliminated from playoffs after lopsided loss to Washington
USA Today: NWSL quarterfinal winners and losers
Portland Timbers: Timbers to host FC Dallas in Game 2 at Providence Park on Nov. 28
FC Dallas: Round One series dates and kickoff times
Cover photo: Providence Park, Portland Timbers vs. Columbus Crew, 2016-03-05, by Tech. Sgt. John Hughel, 142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs, via Wikimedia Commons, public domain
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